title: Seasonal pattern and genotype distribution of sapovirus infection in Japan, 2003-2009.
abstract: Sapovirus, a member of the family Caliciviridae, is one of the major causative agents of viral gastroenteritis affecting all age groups. A total of 3232 faecal specimens collected from infants and children with gastroenteritis in five different regions of Japan during 2003-2009 were examined for sapovirus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Sapoviruses were detected in 131 (4·05%) patients with the peak observed mainly in the cold season (November-March) in Japan during 2003-2009. During the last 6 years, sapovirus GI/1 was the predominant strain in Japan followed by GIV, GII/3, GII/6, GII/2, GII/12 and GI, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Institute of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Phathammavong
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thongprachum
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chan-It
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okitsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizuguchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ushijima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D029341:Sapovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012621:Seasons; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric